WHEN SHOULD I PROMOTE ?
(or not so new!)
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| Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash |
-> new single, EP, album, "Best Of" compilation, release
Promote the release, pitch it send it to all the medias (radios, blogs, etc..) and don't forget to submit to playlists
-> new music video release
Promote the release, pitch it send it to all the medias, even the radios along with the mp3./wav. versions.
-> past releases if you haven't released anything for a while and haven't been active on internet. It will bring attention to what you did, give a new spotlight on your music, a few things to share and get people waiting and interested in your new materials coming up.
I call this the "pre-release campaign"!
Must-Read: How much does a PR campaign cost?
For each release more and more medias answer positively; maybe because we are familiar to them after several campaigns?
As a matter of fact, it took me and my bandmates 5 years from the moment we composed - recorded until we released a new song out of our upcoming album!
2 months before my first campaign to launch the 1st single of our upcoming record, I reached out to blogs and radios, told them we were going to release new stuff soon, that it had been a while since we released anything new, and asked them if they'd be willing to promote the last songs we released from 5 years prior, to help us get back on tracks.
Guess what? many of them did! We had reviews, interviews, airplays of the songs from 2013 and those medias who supported us, along with our fans got excited about the new album and were now in the expectative of new songs!
For some who didn't reply this once, they did reply on the next release.
Remember, it's a mind set: you'll wear them down in the long run! 😈
I think you can also use this strategy when you have nothing new to promote soon (especially in this time of COVID19): imagine you're a new artist, you released your 1st song or EP last year, and didn't know how to promote it or didn't have the budget to hire a PR..
WHO IN THE WORLD SAID IT'S TOO LATE to promote it now?!! (apart from "high standard" PR's and industry people who decide it's ok to promote only new stuff, or to promote a single only if there's tour, or to promote a tour only if there's a new album..... and so on.
I SAY DO IT! if you don't maybe you'll miss opportunities!
Must-Read: MY TIPS TO WRITE THE PERFECT BAND BIOGRAPHY
-> Upcoming tour (if any!):
Step 1: the big announcement
- promote the tour with at the same time/or after the release of a new song/EP/album to all the medias you have in your contact list (radios, blogs, magazines, podcasts, etc..)
- inform your fans, followers, friends, family and supporters in your next newsletter and on your solcial medias.
Provide a cool visual / artwork / flier (whatever you call it!) to illustrate the upcoming tour with all the dates and venues, a cool photo of your band, etc.. to share in your emails and posts on social medias. People like visuals!
Step 2: target locally -> you'll need to do a second round of promotion, and this one can take more time depending on the length of your tour:
- create a visual for each of your show (you can later print them into flyers and posters to promote once you're in the city you'll perform)
- print posters and flyers and send them to all the venues you'll be playing at (along with 1 t-shirt from your band, because people like free stuff and you'll get better chance to be promoted and welcomed more)
- select all the local radios for each city you'll perform: a couple of weeks before the show, send them a personalized email to remind them about your tour, and the particular date you'll play in their area. Ask for an interview / live show in their studio and/or airplay to promote your show the day before.
- select all the local blogs and newspaper (you can target music blogs but also those that cover local events/life style/tourism/ etc..) for each city you'll perform: a month before the show, send them a personalized email to remind them about your tour, and the particular date you'll play in their area. Ask for an interview / a chronicle / a review of your song to be published before your show to promote it, inform and engage reader to discover your music and attend your show.
- when you are in the area you'll play your concert in, talk to people, hand out flyers, ask local stores/bars/restaurants if you can put one of your posters, be friendly. All those people you'll ask favors and help to might come to your show as well! :)
-> Upcoming show (if any!): target locally (do step 2 from tour!)
My best advice: Be creative, and turn anything into an announcement. It will engage people and bring your music more attention!
I'm well aware of the time each of these announcement may take.
So if you need any of my help, contact me. I can spare you the time with your entire campaign(s) or just pitch in and assist you with your DIY campaign.
In any case I'll be happy to share my knowledge and experience and guide you the right way!
